COVID-19 Response Effort from the Office of the Mayor

Please see attached notes from our representative from the Mayor’s office. It addresses a variety of issues from Food delivery, Restaurant and other assembly uses, Parking restrictions to new limits on services and city help for people affected by the restrictions.

Yesterday, Mayor Garcetti issued an emergency order to strengthen the City’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), placing temporary restrictions on restaurants, bars, and other establishments in the City of Los Angeles. The order includes temporary closure of bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, movie theaters and entertainment venues, bowling alleys and arcades, and gyms and fitness centers. Restaurants, bars and retail food facilities may not serve food for consumption on their premises but may continue to offer food for delivery, takeout, or drive-thru. Grocery stores are exempt from the order. As part of the directive, Mayor Garcetti also announced trucks and other vehicles engaged in the delivery of grocery items to stores are exempt from nightly curfews — a measure which will help ensure stores remain well-stocked.

Mayor Garcetti has held a number of press briefings providing updates on COVID-19 response effort. To watch the videos in English and Spanish please click here. For accurate and timely updates, visit CDC.gov, PublicHealth.LACounty.gov, and LAMayor.org/Coronavirus. And don’t forget to sign up for NotifyLA, our city’s mass notification system.Updates on COVID-19 from the City (in English and Spanish) click here

Mayor Eric Garcetti today relaxed parking enforcementacross the City as part of the emergency response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), putting a temporary halt to the issuance of several citations so that Angelenos can more effectively practice the safe social distancing necessary during the outbreak.

Extended grace period for people dropping off or picking up groceries and goods

Immediate extension on all deadlines for payment due until June 1

The relaxed enforcement will be in place until March 31, and is subject to extension. Enforcement will be maintained on operations that prioritize health, safety, and emergency access — including colored curbs, street sweeping around encampments, peak-hour restrictions, and repaving and slurry operations. It will also continue at metered spaces to encourage parking turnover for businesses and restaurants relying on takeout and deliveries.

Eviction Moratorium

Mayor Garcetti's order on eviction was signed last night. This moratorium is currently in effect. If someone receives a notice to quit their unit and they’re brought into court, they may use the Mayors order as a defense in court in an unlawful detainer case, so long as they can prove that they’ve been unable to make rent because of COVID-19.

Please see the eviction excerpt below:

Finally, I hereby order that no landlord shall evict a residential tenant in the City of Los Angeles during this local emergency period if the tenant is able to show an inability to pay rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These circumstances include loss of income due to a COVID-19 related workplace closure, child care expenditures due to school closures, health care expenses related to being ill with COVID-19 or caring for a member of the tenant’s household who is ill with COVID-19, or reasonable expenditures that stem from government-ordered emergency measures. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to mean that the tenant will not still be obligated to pay lawfully charged rent. Tenants will have up to six months following the expiration of the local emergency period to repay any back due rent. Tenants may use the protections afforded in this subsection as an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer action. This subsection shall remain in effect during the pendency of the local emergency period. This order may be extended prior to March 31, 2020.

Los Angeles Public Library Services

All public events, programming, meeting room bookings are cancelled through March 31st. Also, all public computers will be unavailable during this time. You can read more about LAPL's COVID-19 response here.

LADWP

To help our customers get through any financial hardships that may occur as a result of Coronavirus/COVID-19, LADWP offers extended payment plans. Any impacted customer can request a payment plan online at www.ladwp.com or can make arrangements by calling customer care at 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). We have also deferred disconnections for non-payment through the remainder of March at this time. Please click here for more information.

Public Transportation

Metro, Metrolink, and LADOT Transit are all closely monitoring the current situation. Each agency is vigorously cleaning buses, trains, stations, and facilities regularly and will continually review cleaning protocols to ensure they are up-to-date as the situation evolves. Agencies strongly encourage customers to protect themselves from illness.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is working closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) as well as other City, County, and Federal Partners to develop and implement a coordinated COVID-19 response related to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. This site here is designed to help providers and partners stay updated on resources and information.

City Services and General Guidance
● The City will continue to deliver the services Angelenos depend on. Sanitation, street cleaning, and other basic services all remain scheduled and operational.
● Our County health experts encourage people with tele-health options to take advantage of them.
● Be sure to sign up for NotifyLA for up-to-date information and guidance. Food and Water
● There is plenty of food. Stores are restocking their shelves daily. Supply chains have not been interrupted and there is no need to “panic buy” and put unnecessary pressure on supermarkets.
● Our neighbors also have essential needs, and a rush in demand can cause unanticipated buying frenzies and unnecessary anxiety.
● You do not have to hoard water. If you live in the City of Los Angeles, LADWP water is safe, readily available, and even cleaner than what you can buy in a bottle. DWP will defer all water and power shut-offs for at least the next two weeks.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

As we undertake these efforts together, many Angelenos are eager to know what they can do to help. To answer this call, the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles has created the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. You can donate to this fund to help support families, provide critical services, and strengthen our emergency response.

Resources

Price Gouging

If you suspect a business of Price Gouging, please keep your receipts and call (800) 593-8222 to report it. Have the business name and address ready when you call.

Employment Development Department

Individuals should check the EDD website to get a general guidance as to what programs are available and what situations may be applicable. If you have a case, you can contact your State Elected Official who can assist with your case and state related issues.

Grab and Go Food Centers

The 40 Family Resource Centers will become a Grab and Go Food Centers, so on Wednesday, March 18th, together with the Red Cross, they will open a total of 60 Food Centers in the communities we serve. The centers will be open weekdays from 7 am to 10 am, and each child can take home two nutritious meals. Locations of the centers can be found at https://achieve.lausd.net/resources

Interest Free Loan

The City is looking into assisting small business. In the meantime I would like to refer you to Jewish Free Loan Association to apply for interest free loans for small businesses and individuals who are affected by the virus.